Mbappé hits the gym as Real Madrid prep for Real Sociedad showdown
The French superstar trained indoors while Madrid's squad worked on tactics ahead of Saturday's crucial La Liga clash that could send them top of the table.
Kylian Mbappé was nowhere to be seen on the training pitch this morning, opting for a gym session instead as Los Blancos prepare for their Saturday night clash with Real Sociedad.
Gym over grass for Kylian
After what sources describe as a team dinner last night - probably a proper chinwag about getting their season back on track - Real Madrid were back at it this morning with their focus squarely on the weekend’s fixture against La Real.
The most notable absence from the grass was new boy Mbappé, who kept himself to the indoor facilities while the rest of the available squad went through their paces outside. No need for alarm bells just yet, but certainly worth keeping an eye on as we approach the weekend.
Meanwhile, the treatment room remains occupied by the usual suspects - Militao, Bellingham and Rodrygo are all continuing their recovery processes with no fresh updates on their return dates.
Session breakdown
The morning’s work followed a familiar pattern for Ancelotti’s men:
- Started with video analysis (probably dissecting what went Pete Tong recently)
- Strength work in the gym facilities
- Multiple rondos on the pitch (Spanish football’s bread and butter)
- Tactical drills focusing on Saturday’s game plan
- Finished with small-sided matches
Title race implications
This Saturday’s 21:30 kick-off at the Bernabéu presents a massive opportunity for Los Blancos. With Barcelona sitting just one point ahead in the table and not playing until Monday’s trip to Girona, Madrid could leapfrog their bitter rivals and establish a two-point cushion at the summit.
It won’t be straightforward though - Real Sociedad are in decent nick themselves and have the distraction of a Copa del Rey semi-final first leg at Athletic Bilbao today. Whether that works in Madrid’s favour remains to be seen, but Ancelotti will surely fancy his chances on home turf.